Foodies Alert: Frosted Cupcakery

A cake in a cup?

If you haven't noticed, there has been a cupcake craze.  Now, it has turned to macarons.  Anyway, I was in Los Angeles a month ago and managed to drop by Frosted Cupcakery.  It isn't as popular as Sprinkles but didn't have time to make it all the way to Beverly Hills.

First impression when I walked in.... I wanted to try every flavor they had.  Luckily, I was super full from breakfast that I opted for only 1.

The flavor I got was red velvet cheesecake.  Actually wanted to try something different but decided better to stick it to the safe choice.

Sadly, I didn't eat it right away which could have changed my option of them.  My friend and I were driving back to San Francisco so I wanted to keep it for the journey back.

Although the reviews all say that its one of the best cupcakes, I feel that the cake was not moist enough.  Unless, I'm just used to the fresh cream cupcakes.  Totally had high expectations and was disappointed.  It is an "alright" cupcake... not the OMG I need to try again. 

There was an abundance of cream cheese and I realized later that the cupcake would have been better if I ate it with a spoon, instead of biting it through. Reason: 1st, at least I wouldn't have to take a huge bite and 2nd, I would get the perfect amount of cream cheese and cake in every bite.  Needless to say, my first few bites were full of cream cheese and then at the end, I was left with a lot of cake.

Amateur at eating cupcake right?  I still prefer to eat it with a spoon. :)

My friend ordered this one  From the pic, the crushed caramel and chocolate pieces looks a bit dry.

Website: http://www.frostedcupcakery.com

Foodies Alert: Cafe Amazon @PTT Life Station

Cafe Amazon is a coffee shop that is located is most PTT gas stations.  It is easy to find.  Although I've tried their coffee before, I will always order their Iced Cocoa.

I'm constantly searching for a coffee shop/ cafe which makes really good iced cocoa.  Seems easy right?  What I've discovered is that not many places get it right.  At least, according to my tastes.  Just like dark chocolate, cocoa already has its own sweetness so it's not necessary to add a lot of sugar.

Some cafes will call it "Iced Cocoa" but its actually "Iced Chocolate".  Can't tell the difference?  Its basically sweeter and more milky.

What is the perfect Iced Cocoa? 
- It must have a rich intense cocoa flavor (loads of cocoa powder!!)
- Not milky
- Just the right amount of sweetness

For iced cocoa, it is 50baht (less than 2USD) per glass.  It might be expensive for some people considering that you can also find it for as little as 15-20baht.  But then, you will have to gamble whether you are getting proper cocoa or chocolate. On a side note, another one of my favorite places to get iced cocoa is actually from a market stall near my office.  Only 15baht!  Sadly, they closed down a few months ago.  :(  I have yet to find a replacement.

Cafe Amazon: can be found in PTT gas stations all across Thailand

Foodie Alert: Peppermint Frapp @Whittards

It is a hot summer's day and where do you go to cool down? 

Out of all the mint frapp places that I've tried, Whittard actually does the best job.  Definitely must try <3

Location: Whittard of Chelsea
Bag: Louis Vuitton - Speedy 30 

Don't know about you but its really hard to find places who get mint perfect.  Another place I love for my mint fix is Baskin Robbins.  They make the best mint choc chip ice cream!!

In My Footsteps: Bollywood Day1

First Indian meal

Only managed to take these because I ate the others immediately or they served us individually. Indian food is an intense and very heavy meal.
Intense = lots of spices & strong flavors
Heavy = it's all about the curries and naan/roti

Naan is my favorite (located on top right). Butter, garlic naan....oh my! How many breathe mints will I need?!?!

Not sure what the big pic on bottom left is called. Also good. Made of crispy roti and has masala and fresh onions on top. It's a starter.

The 2 pics on the top left and bottom right are Indian desserts: kulfi (condensed milk ice cream with fuloda) and rasmali (spongy milk thing with fresh milk and pistachios). Super sweet but yummy:)

Foodies Alert: Cupcakes Galore

Have you ever tried one of those cupcakes where the cream is super buttery and thick?  Likes its just way too much that you have to actually scrap half off to the side? 

I have to tell you that this is the best cupcake I have never had (EVER!!) 

I actually copied the 2nd picture from her facebook so the quality may not be good.  I ate everything before I was able to take a pic.  Anyways, my friend Patty made these cupcakes for my birthday.  These particular ones have coconut filling.  Honestly, I only drink coconut water and some limit desserts where it is used.  If I had a choice, I would never pick coconut cake or cupcakes.  But! Patty's cupcakes are seriously over the top where I will eat 1-2 cups of these.  She also has a chocolate one called Triple C. Oh, its the best one that I've tried of hers.

Going back to the cream part, she doesn't use any butter.  Don't know what ingredients she puts but the fresh cream is yummy and light.  If anyone ever had Japanese desserts, its a bit more heavy than the Japanese version of fresh cream.

I'll come back and share on more online bakeries for you ^-^

Foodies Alert: Pancake Cafe

Pancakes are more than just breakfast food 

Pancake Cafe would be heaven for anyone with a sweet tooth (me! me! me!).  The decor of the cafe is really girly and cute.  The main color theme is pink with some black decor. Sorry that I don't have actually pics inside the cafe (forgot :S)  They actually have both plain pancakes, choco pancakes, and waffles.  So, customers are able to select based on their likings.

Anyways, I ordered 2 dishes.
1) Sweet Dreams :: Pancakes with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and vanilla ice cream.
First impression is that it was alright.  I got a flashback to Secret Garden's infamous Vanilla Crepe Cake.  Now that is really delicious.  It is delicious but it didn't find anything super outstanding.  The strawberry sauce on top was actually good but Secret Garden got the sauce spot on! Maybe it would have tasted better as a waffle?

2) Panoffee:: It is a pancake twist to the typical banoffee pie.  This one uses choco pancake batter with bananas, caramel, and whipped cream on top then vanilla ice cream to the side.  I actually expected it to be proper pancakes but the texture is more brownie or cake-like mix.  Not fluffy like pancakes.  Nevertheless, this is delicious.  They poured a bit too much caramel at the bottom but no problem.  I still wiped the plate clean.

There are actually lots of other stuff on the menu which looks absolutely yummy.  May come back here again so I can go through the entire menu once.  Thinking about it, the choco pancake seems to be like their chocolate lava mix (I had it the previous time I was here).

All in all, definitely a must try for people with a sweet tooth.

 Location: Paradise Park
Other branches: Nawamin City Avenue, The Circle Ratchapruk, Siam Paragon, Int Intersection Rama3

Foodies Alert: Cheesecake Lovers

A girl always has room for dessert 

I heard that this place has really good cheesecake but never had the chance to try it out myself until now.  The bakery's name is: Farm Design.  It is actually from Hokkaido, Japan.  If you don't know the geography of Japan, it is the big island on top of mainland Japan (that has Tokyo & Kobe).  Simple explanation :)  Hokkaido is known for snow, skiing, and their dairy products.

The atmosphere of the bakery is really nice with small seating area.  Though, I think it might be a bit too small. Luckily when I went it wasn't crowded so it wasn't an issue.  Just imagining if it was.

We ordered Choco Moo Cheesecake and Caramel Fudge Cheesecake.  For drinks, I had Iced  Cappuccino.

Let's just say, I went to yummy heaven.  The caramel fudge cheesecake was mine.  It looks like a small piece of cake but really filling.  Some people may think that the caramel fudge is too sweet.  Considering I have a sweet tooth, it was perfect.  Plus, I don't like anything too cheesecaky. (Then again, why am I having cheesecake).

I actually tried to find more out Farm Design before writing this blog but couldn't find out much. Sorry.

Location: Terminal 21